Monday, September 29, 2014

The Week of Fall, Y'all

September 29, 2014


It's safe to say it is officially fall! Everyone's decorations are out! The weather is COOL! And the trees are starting to change!!!!!!! But lets get to the good stuff!

Kathy, Ray, and Dylan came to a Family Home Evening hosted by members of the Ward and absolutely LOVED it! Dylan and the members little boy became best buds and Kathy and the Mom connected better than we ever hoped. On Wednesday we taught them at their house and it was a PERFECT lesson. Dylan had a melt down (he has Aspergers but I don't know how to spell it) and it was just a rough day for him. But during the lesson we were able to help him calm down and he was very excited to say the closing prayer after we committed them to praying if the Book Of Mormon is true. It went like this:

 "We hope to know the Book Of Mormon is true. Well, of course it is! Because it talks about you and your friends!"

 We were ALL crying but especially Kathy. Ray was baptized at 14 and then never went back :) We saw them again Saturday afternoon because Dylan was sick and talked about the scriptures and we basically begged Kathy to come to the Women's Broadcast with us. She didn't take too much convincing (which is huge because she is SO protective of Dylan and normally won't leave his side). At the Broadcast she met up with Sister Morgan and a few other members she's really starting to get to know and love. 

After the Broadcast she came up to me and said, "I had this really weird moment. I flashed back to being a little girl and seeing commercials for a church I always wanted to join. And I realized I'm finally at that church. I'm so glad I'm where I always wanted to be." Sister Wahlin and I almost peed ourselves on the way home because we're so excited. 

Sunday they all came to church even though Dylan was feeling sick and just loved it. You can see it on Kathy's face. There's nothing she wants more than to be at church. The Morgans invited them over for dinner and to have a lesson last night and while the kids were playing we got to have some one on one time with Kathy and Ray and the Morgans. Kathy cried, Ray BAWLED, Sister Morgan cried, I cried, Sister Wahlin cried, and then Kathy agreed to be baptized October 11th. And then to top it all off she turned to Ray and said, "And then you can get your act together and baptize Dylan." WHO TAUGHT HER THAT!?!?! How awesome and prepared is she? Ray said the closing prayer with tears streaming down his face. Miracles. I love these people. We're teaching them again tonight.

We met a senile old woman who continuously told me how beautiful I am and then said we could borrow her cane if we ever need one. She also told us how so many people think they're going to heaven but they're not, because they don't wave or smile at her. So they're going to hell. We love Ethel.

Michele and Jo are doing great! WE FINISHED THE WALL!!!!!!! And it looks DANG good! I'll have to get pictures or something. She is loving the lessons. But in her mind she has already received the Holy Ghost so she doesn't understand why she needs to be baptized and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. I think she just needs to get an answer about the Book of Mormon and then everything else will make sense. She came to the Women's Broadcast and LOVED it, and we're hoping to get her to watch at least one session of General Conference. Then she can have her answer about Prophet Thomas S. Monson and it will all be gravy from there. Jo won't admit it, but he loves the lessons and learning more. He PONDERS what we've taught all week and then asks us super legit and deep questions. 

Scott's wife had her baby like 30 minutes ago!!!!!! We're trying to keep up with him and be there for him. It'll be easier when they move to Pulaski by the end of October. 

Juniper and her family came to church for the 6th week in a row! Her Dad is preparing to be worthy to baptize her and her little sister. And they're so much more happy. It's so much fun to see them. Part-member families. That's really where it's at.

Let's talk about the Women's Broadcast. Wow. We had an ice-cream social before and the Young Women told me I'm the only cool missionary because I'm not perfect and I don't try to be. BOOM! I'm glad I'm not being the missionary I always hated growing up. And it was just amazing. And the songs that were sung.......wow. I think that's all I can say. It was humbling and exactly what I needed to be boosted and keep going.

The sinus infection battle has continued this week with being extremely drowsy and then in pain again. But luckily I'm surrounded by Doctors and Nurses who hooked me up with antibiotics and other drugs to drain me out. It's a struggle but we're pushing and fighting to keep going. There's too much to do to be sick or drowsy!

I got a blessing and it said that my sickness is nothing new to me, I'm just experiencing it in a different way than I have before.........that was interesting. Cuz I didn't know I had anything like this before!!! So I'm continuing to find the balance and keep from being sick, while Sister Wahlin is continuing to be patient with me and my many issues.

Everything's great here! I just hope I don't leave this next transfer in October! There's still so much to do here!!!!!!

-Sister Packard

Best:
1. Spirit of Elijah. It's strong.
2. We got to watch "Meet The Mormons" with President Salisbury!!!! It's pretty awesome.
3. Shopping for skirts at Goodwill. It really is the place to go.
4. Seeing the Gospel change lives.

Worst:
1. My cardigan got a hole.
2. I'm either drowsy (like super drowsy) or my head hurts (like super hurts).
3. Mom hasn't written me yet this week....... :(

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